This year’s China International Import Expo (CIIE), held last week in Shanghai, served as a pivotal platform for the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council (USGC) to strengthen ties with Chinese partners and customers and showcase the versatility of U.S. grains and co-products.
The Council’s team engaged with industry leaders, government officials and potential buyers to promote U.S. corn, sorghum, barley and related bio-products to a wide audience throughout the event.
USGBC Chairman Mark Wilson, USGBC Vice President Cary Sifferath and USGBC Director in China Manuel Sanchez spearheaded the Council’s delegation at the eighth iteration of the increasingly instrumental conference for the Chinese food sector.
“The U.S.-China trade relationship is significant to both parties, and our team focused on agricultural innovations and adaptations to China’s evolving dietary and industrial needs to ensure market access and fair trade for U.S. producers,” Sanchez said.
The Council hosted an expo booth showcasing the quality of U.S. agricultural products and the wide range of applications for which they can be used, and staff participated in panels and networking events to discuss solutions for logistical and regulatory challenges.
Attendees were curious and optimistic about expanded trade opportunities in the near future and expressed interest in ongoing engagements like technical training courses, market intelligence sharing and collaborative research projects that build bridges between U.S. producers and Chinese customers.
In addition to work conducted at the event, the Council’s team held side meetings and visits with key end-users and customers including talks at the U.S. embassy in Beijing, Chinese government agencies and one of the largest poultry operations in Asia.
“Attendance by leading figures in the Council underscored the entire organization’s strategic commitment to forging stronger bilateral trade relations and promoting U.S. feed grains and co-products in one of the world’s largest and most dynamic markets,” Sanchez said.
“As China continues to be a vital partner for U.S. agricultural exports, the Council’s participation is paramount to emphasizing the importance of collaboration, innovation and sustainability in future mutual growth.”
Learn more about the Council’s work in China here.